Uproar in JMC meet over setting-up of Sanjeevani Clinics in all wards

Staff Reporter

The issue related to setting up of Sanjeevani Clinics in all wards of the city triggered uproar during the meeting called to discuss the provisions of recently presented budget of the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC), on Monday.

The BJP corporators objected, asking whether the clinics would be operated solely by the JMC or it will require State Government cooperation in the same. In response, Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh clarified that the civic body would only construct the buildings and the operation of the clinics would be carried out independently.

This revelation shocked the opposition. The BJP corporators and the Leader of the Opposition argued that it should have been clearly mentioned in the budget that the clinics would require the support of the State Government. Heated debate on the role of the State Government in establishing Sanjivini Clinics continued for some time, with the Mayor ultimately stating that if the State Government does not provide assistance, the Municipal Corporation will operate the Clinics in all 79 wards on its own and would ensure provision of best medial aid by doctors through NGOs. Later, the ruling party members emphasised the need for proper co-ordination between the JMC administration and the State Government, stating that even Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan cannot run the clinics alone. They reminded the BJP corporators that the Mohalla Clinics are the gift from Congress-led Government under the leadership of the then Chief Minister Kamal Nath. The Leader of the Opposition accused that the JMC officials are misguiding the Mayor and also described the budget misleading. He alleged that senior officials are not providing accurate information to the Mayor on anything other than the budget.

Earlier, the meeting also saw concerns raised over long speech given by senior BJP Corporators in the House. Ruling party members said the habit takes due time of other members, especially women, who also need to speak and learn.

The meeting highlighted the tensions and debates surrounding the establishment of Sanjeevani Clinics and other key issues facing the Municipal Corporation, with differing perspectives from the ruling party and the opposition. The outcome of these discussions and decisions regarding the budget and operation of the clinics will have significant implications for the healthcare services provided to the residents of city. Both ruling and opposition members also raised the issues like shifting of slaughterhouse out of the city limits, exemption of property tax in industrial areas, allegations of differences between words and actions by the mayor, who also ignoring the Speaker etc.